Photo-electric sound recording or reproducing



Sept. 29, 1931. A. J. CAWLEY Y 2 PHOTO ELECTRIC SOUND RECORDING ORREPRODUCING Filed Sept. 16, 1929 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ALOYSIUS J.CAWLEY ATTORNEY p 29, 1931- A. J. CAWLEY 1,825,438

PHOTO ELECTRIC SOUNb RECORDING ORREPRODUCING Fil ed Sept. 16. 1929 2Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALOYSIUS J. (INLET ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29,1931 UNITED STATES ALoYsIUs J. CAWLEY, or PITTSTON, PENNSYLVANIA,AssIGNon'ro TIoN or AMERICA, A CORPORATION or DEL WAR PATENT OFFICERADIO CORPORA- PHOTO-ELECTBIC SOUND RECORDING OB REPBODUCIlNl'G Originalapplication filed January 8, 1921, Serial No. 435,984. Divided and thisapplication filed September 16, 1929. Serial No. 393,071. 7

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 435,984filed January 8,1921.

The invention relates generally to the method of producing sound recordson motion picture films, so that sound and picture records may besynchronously reproduced, although the invention is not necessarilylimited to this field.

More particularly the invention is concerned with the recordingoptically or reproduction of sound photo-electrically on motion picturefilm.

Arrangements are described whereby any "I desired sound recording speedmay be obtained without any increase in the speed of the film, by simplyincreasing the number and speed of the recording units.

The invention .is perfectly adaptable to. :1; the standard motionpicture film as it exists in practice at present, and is concerned withplacing sound records on the margin, or margins of such a film. This isparticularly feasible if photographic sound records are used. The lattermay be placed on one margin only, or be distributed on both. margins, ashereinafter described.

As the sound records are intended to be placed at the margins of thefilm, there is no interference of picture and sound record as would bethe case, if for instance, the latter were placed across the reverseface of the film, as in such case, they would be projected upon thepicture screen.

3 The invention, further, is not limited to photographic methods ofrecording or photo-electric reproduction but is adapted to anymechanical, magnetic, or electric reproduction described in my parentapplication and the related divisions thereof. Al-

though the invention is not ,limited to any of those methods, reatemphasis is' placed -on the method emp oying the photo-electricreproduction and photographic recording.

It will be noted that there are no abrup' changes in the direction ofmovingparts, All parts move in a uniform manner, and the apparatus as awhole is very simple. It be'especially noted that, although there'cording speed is rather high, neither the film carrier nor therecorders move at this speed, the high speed mentioned being due to therelative motion of recorder and film.

picture speedof one foot per inwhich like characters of reference denotecorresponding parts in all the views, and in which,

photographierecording or photo-electric reproducing device.

at the stand- .70 Figure l is an elevational view showing a Figure 2 isa cross sectional view on line BC of the rotatin film carrier.

Figure 3 is an e evational view of an electrically operated, mechanicalsound recorder placed on a radial arm.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a photographic sound recorder placed on aradial arm, also illustrating the detachable nature of the latter.

F igure 5 is a side elevation of the wheel of Fig. 1 showing the filmthereon.

Figure 6 is a view of the film used.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a sound reproducerinstallation in conjunction with a projection screen.

Figure 8 is adiagrammatic illustration of a recording apparatusasarranged for op- 'eration.

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 1, but

shows an additional means for maintaining serves as a film carriercontact roll 10 holding it in engagement with sprocket teeth 11, asshown in Figure 1. The film then passes over a smaller sprocket 13, towhich is rigidly attached the gear wheel 5. It is obvious that sprocket13 pulls the film forward, Wheel 5 communicates motion through wheel 4to wheel 3, which is rigidly attached to shaft 14, which carries theradial arms 2, also rigidly attached to it, and bearing recording orreproducing means at their extremities. Toothed gear wheels 3, 4 and 5are so proportioned that the devices at the extremities of the radialarms move, while in contact with the film surfaces, at a speed which isequal to ployed) that of the film, but in the opposite direction.Obviously, the relative speeds of film and recorder passing over it,will be equal to the sum of their individual speeds.

Consequently, if the speed of the fihn is one foot per second, therecording speed is twice this, or two feet per second. One can readilysee that if the gearing is so arranged that the recorders move at aspeed double that of the film, and three recorders are used, threerecords will be impressed, and the recording speed will be three feetper second. Four recorders with a speed of three feet per second wouldmean a recording speed of four feet per second, 'and so on.

It is obviously necessary to employ some means whereby only thatrecorder that is actually impressing its own specific record is inactual operation at any given time, all others being 'temporarilyeliminated from activity. A very satisfactory method of accomplishingthis is b the use of electricity,

and this will now be escribed. Other methods will be described later.For this purpose, the commutator 6, Figure 2, is adjustably attached tothe shaft, by means of set screws, or the like in such a position thatbrush 7 cuts out of circuit the recorder or recorders not functioning,and connecting only the recorder that is flmctioning. The commutator isshown in this case provided with two segments, 6a and 6?) one beingattached by wire 9 tothe device at the extremity of one radial arm, andthe other attached by wire 8 to' the other recording device. The wire 9passes through shaft 14 which maybe provided with suitable conductingpassages, 9a. In the drawing, the

' radial arms, shaft, etc., form part of the circuit, in which case onlyone brush 7 is necessary.

In Figures 1 and 2, the radial arms 2 are provided with simpleelectrical means'for the purpose of electrically reproducing aphotographic sound record as hereinafter described. The two contactbrushes are shown at 15. Figure 3, however, shows a radial arm providedwith an electrically operated, mechanical sound reproducer 17 (when twoarms are emprovided with the stylus 18. The wire and the metal body ofthe apparatus connects this device with the external reproducingcircuit.

However, wires may be used throughout the circuit connections, and alsomore than one brush may be used in connection with the commutator.Besides the adjustment of the position of the commutator on the shaft,obviously the brush 7 may be attached to a movable support 7a, as isusual in electrical machinery, whereby it also maybe moved-to the mostfavorable position to obtain the best results.

The operation of the apparatus is perfectly simple. A device similar tothat shown in Figure 1 may be attached to a camera or projector, and soconnected that sprocket 13 is driven at standard motion picture feed,whereupon the recorder or reproducer will move inthe opposite directionat the same speed (if but two recorders are used), with the result thatthe recordin or reproducing s eed is double that of the lm, or about twoeet per second.

' The large sprocket Wheel 1 is not fixed to the shaft 14, but ispermitted to revolve freely upon it, and is held in position by thedisks 12 and 12', which are fixed firmly to the shaft, and which allowjust sufficient play to let wheel 1 revolve freely without vibration.In' the drawing, this wheel is shown as being operated by the film as itis drawn through the picture machine. However, a special gearing couldbe provided to move it directly, if desired.

Strong emphasis is placed on the recording or reproducing apparatus.This arrangement permits of electrical connections throughout,permitting the use of a commutator, as well as the actual reproductionof the sound record at a distance from the reproducer 54, Fig. 7, suchas for instance at a projection screen 51. Moreover, the use ofmicrophones 58 or the like in the camera 57 permits the use of specialelectrical apparatus 55, not otherwise available, whereby amplificationof the sound record may be attained, the recorder being indicated at 56.Such amplifying means 53 are also available in the reproduction of thesound record by the reproducing apparatus indicated at 54. The alternateconnecting and disconnecting of the recorders. is also more eflecductingmetallic bbdy of the arm. The radia-l arm may be detached from the diskof the corresponding socket. Any type of sound recorder may thus beattached to the 5 radial arm. The term radial member may be construed tomean not only the mechanical device but also a device that is partlymade up of a light beam, which is directed by proper apparatus towardthe moving film to 10 chemically alter it.

The photographic method of reproducing is used, and the selenium cell 25or equivalent, is made in the form of-trip arranged in a semicircle,corresponding tothe form of the curved film. The effective part of thecell will be thus in the form of a long, narrow member over which thelight recorder v on the radial arm passes longitudinally.

Consequently, as the light is not stationary, a heat-absorbing meanswill be unnecessary. By making the rotating film carrier 1 of very largediameter, the stylijwould remain in contact with the film for amuchlonger period. Also the ossibility of the commutation of the di erentreproducers being 'audibly detected by the audience would be minimized.Each recorder contacts with the precise transverse portion of the filmthroughout the length of the film. As the latter is held rigidly inposition, the proper, sound repro ducer finds its corresponding recordwith absolute precision.

By making ,shaft 14: sufficiently long and adding one of more extra armssimiliar to 2 and 2 and spacing them equidistantly on the shaft, andchanging the gearing to rotate them at the proper speed, which is a multiple of the film speed, the sound recording speed is thus increased.The electrical con nections and commutator must be also adjusted tocorrespond. The flexibility of the mechanism is obvious.

In order; to offer a firm support to the film while the recorder ispassing over its surface, an endless belt 67 ,asshown in Fig.

9 made of a substance approximating the density of ordinary phonographrecord' backing materialysueh as waxed paper, may bearranged so as to'pass around the con-' tact roll 10 and sprocket 13. This belt may beprovided with a slack, adjusterconsisting, for instance of a weightedpulley 71,

7 2 indicating the weight. Wheels 3, 4 and 5 are supported on anysuitable frame work 30. Power is preferably applied to 5 or 13, 'soas tomove the film at standard motion picture speed. The film, however, maybe simply pulled through the apparatus by other sprocket wheels.

Photographic sound recording .hasjbeen very successful commercially,andas there is room for manysuch records on themargin of a movingpicture film, the invention offers a means of placing several such weords there and utilizing them to reproduce sounds. Moreover, by thismeans a recording speed is available that is in excess of that used incommercial sound recording.

An advantage of electrical commutation is that a record can come intocontact with the film for a time before it is actually brought intoelectrical connection.

' Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A phonographic apparatus comprising a sound record consisting of afilm strip having a sound track extending longitudinally thereof and awheel directly supporting that portion of the film laterally adjacent tothe portion of the sound record from which sound is reproduced, thesound record portion being otherwise unsupported film records having asound track extend ing lon itudinally thereof, in combination,

"means or moving the fihn past an operational point at a uniform speed,and rotary means for supporting the film across a portion only'of thewidth thereof at the said point and means for transfer of acousticenergy cooperating with a portion of the remaining width of the film. 5.In sound reproducing mechanism for consisting of a film strip havportionbeing otherwise unsupported film having a portion adapted to besupportedand an optically varying sound record on a portion laterally-of the surface therefrom, a photo-electric reproducer, ro-

tary supporting means for moving the film and means for maintaining thefilm on the supporting means with the sound record portion extendingotherwise unsupported in operative relation to said reproducen' 6. Incombination, means including a wheel to carry. a film having a soundrecord adjacent to the edge thereof with said sound record extendingbeyond the side of said wheel, and a light-sensitive cell and a lightsource so arranged as to cooperate with said portion of the filmextending from the wheel for the reproduction of the sound recordtherefrom.

7. In combination, means including a narrow wheel to carry a film havinga sound record adjacent to the edge thereof with said sound recordextending beyond the side of said wheel, and a light-sensitive cell anda light source so arranged as to cooperate with said portion of the filmextending from the wheel for the reproduction of the sound recordtherefrom.

. 8. In combination, means including a wheel to carry a film having asound record adjacent to the edge thereof with said sound recordextending beyond the side of said wheel, an elongated photo-cell and alight source so arranged as to cooperate with said portion of the filmextending from the wheel for the reproduction of the sound recordtherefrom.

'9. In combination, means including a wheel to carry a film having asound record adjacent to the edge thereof with said sound recordextending beyond the side of said wheel, and a photo-electric cell and alight source arranged in cooperative relation with respectively oppositesides of said portion of the film extending beyond the side of saidwheel.

10. In combination, a light-sensitive cell, a light source, and meansincluding a rotary film supporting means to carry a film strip typesound record in an arcuate path between the two first-named means, thesound record portion of-said film extending otherwise unsupportedbetween said two firstnamed means. a

11. In phonographic apparatus in which the sound record isphotographically recorded on a film, the combination of a wheel meansfor rotating said wheel at uniform speed, means for feeding a recordfilm on to said wheel at one point and oil therefrom at another pointand causing the film to adhere closely to the wheel without slippage between-said point-s, said film record being arranged to overhang one sideof the wheel, a photo cell positioned in cooperative relation to theoverhanging position of the film and means for directing light throughsaid overhanging portion of the film onto said photo cell.

12. In sound reproducing mechanism for film having an optically varyingsound rec-' ord extending longitudinally on the surface thereof, aphoto-electric reproducer, rotary supporting means for moving the filmand -means for maintaining the film on the supporting means with thesound record por-.

tion extending otherwise unsupported beyond the edge thereof and intocooperative relation with said reproducer.

13. In a sound reproducer for film having a photographic sound recordextending longitudinally on the surface thereof, revoluble means fordirecting light on the film, a rotary means maintaining the film in thepath of revolution of said light, a photorevolving the first named meansand'moving said fihn. l

14. In sound reproducing mechanism for a film strip having aphotographic sound record extending longitudinally thereon, incombination, a photo-cell, means for moving the film past the photo-cellat a uniform speed, a light source, means for moving the light sourcelongitudinally of the film, and means for so supporting the filmadjacent to the photo-cell that light from said light source may haveunobstructed passage therethrough to the said cell. 4 15. In soundreproducing mechanism for a film strip having a photographic soundrecord extending longitudinally thereon, in combination, alongitudinally elongated photo-cell, means for moving the filmlongitudinally past the photo-cell at a uniform speed, a light source,means for moving the light source longitudinally of the film andphoto-cell, and means for so supporting the film adjacent to thephoto-electric cell that light from said light source may haveunobstructed passage therethrough to the said cell.

16. In a sound reproducer for film having a sound record adjacent theedge thereof,

in combination, a wheel to support the filmadjacent to a reproductionpoint, means for maintaining the film on the wheel with the sound recordover-hanging the edge thereof and sound reproducing means to cooperatewith the sound record on the overhanging edge of said film.

17. In a sound reproducer for filmhaving a sound record adjacent theedge thereof, in combination, a wheel to support the film adjacent to areproduction point, means for maintaining the fihn on the wheel withthe.

and means for maintaining the film on the wheel with the sound recordoverhanging the edge thereof. 20. In a sound reproducer for film havinga sound record adjacent the edge thereof, in combination, a large wheelto support the film adjacent to a reproduction point, and means formaintaining the film on the wheel with the sound record over-hanging theedge thereof. 1

21. In sound reproducing mechanism for film having an optically varyingsound record on the surface thereof, a photo-electric sound reproducer;rotary supporting means adjacent said reproducer for carrying the filmpast said sound reproducer, and means comprising a yieldable pulley formaintaining said film against said supporting means.

22; In a sound reproducer for film having a sound record adjacent theedge thereof, in combination, a wheel adapted to support the film at areproduction point, yield record portion of the film extends beyond.

the edge of the wheel, said Wheel being relatively large, and means formoving said film through said apparatus.

ALOYSIUS J. CAWLEY.

